Chelsea: Three key clashes as the Blues welcome Manchester City

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MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 23: John Stones of Manchester City battles with Tammy Abraham of Chelsea during the Premier League match between Manchester City and Chelsea FC at Etihad Stadium on November 23, 2019 in Manchester, United Kingdom. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images) /

Chelsea welcomes Manchester City to Stamford Bridge, but if the Blues want any chance at victory, they have to tackle some key clashes.

Chelsea is going through the toughest phase of the season, nobody is going to question that. Players are out of form, fatigued and the confidence has taken a hit as the Blues have won just one of their last six. Many fans have started calling out Frank Lampard as he is still looking to settle on his best XI, but the players put in arguably their worst performance of the season against Arsenal. Things improved against Aston Villa, but the Blues had to settle for a draw in the end. While fans continue to be reactionary, the board is completely behind Lampard according to reports. As the new year begins, Lampard’s men go against the COVID struck Manchester City.

Here are three key clashes to look out for:

1. Tammy Abraham vs. Olivier Giroud

The Olivier Giroud versus Tammy Abraham debate is probably the best thing that has happened to Chelsea during this gloomy run of form. The players have struggled to create and score, but our towering centre forwards have scored at crucial junctures. When the season started, people wrote Abraham and Giroud off quickly, nominating Timo Werner as the Blues’ automatic starter. But as they have done throughout their careers, both men found their way back into the starting line-up.

In the last four games, Chelsea has scored six goals, and five of them have been scored by either towering striker. This shows that the two No. 9s have carried Chelsea as the wingers have struggled to finish chances. All wide men—including Cristian Pulisic and Werner—have been lacking the finishing touch in front of the goal, and that has cost the Blues some valuable points.

Against Aston Villa, Chelsea missed some clear cut chances and if those had been finished by one forward or the other, the Blues would have come home with three points. Even against Arsenal, the front line lacked a certain viciousness in front of the goal. Against Man City, we could see Abraham lead the line as he moves around quickly and has the right movement to keep the City defence unsettled. Giroud’s inclusion wouldn’t make a lot of sense as this type of game wouldn’t suit his strengths, but you never know with both forwards in fine form.

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